EQUAL-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ACROSS STATES - THE EEOC 1979-1989

This study uses unpublished EEOC data from 1979-89 to concentrate on h ow dwindling resources and policy changes advocated by the EEOC chairs regarding the time and intensity devoted to anti-discrimination cases may have yielded regional variation in discrimination outcomes. We ar rive at two major conclusions. First, evidence here suggests that the EEOC counteracted potential regional resistance against anti-discrimin ation laws. Second, we argue that the seeming inefficiency of the EEOC during Thomas' first years as EEOC chair appears to have occurred bec ause he inherited a large pool of low-merit cases.